I'm ashamed of rape and poor sanitation in India, says Narendra Modi

India must challenge its young men over their attitudes to rape and build more lavatories to keep its women safe, Narendra Modi says in his first Independence Day speech as prime minister

Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speechPhoto: Saurabh Das/AP

Dean Nelson in New Delhi

10:34AM BST 15 Aug 2014

Narendra Modi, India's prime minister, today spoke of his shame at the treatment of its women and poor standards of hygiene and public sanitation.

In his first Independence Day speech as prime minister, Mr Modi delivered a passionate call for Indians to value the role of women in the country, to stop aborting female foetuses, and build a cleaner country where women don't have to leave their homes to go to the lavatory or face violence and rape.

Speaking from the Red Fort in Delhi's old walled city, he outlined his vision of an inclusive India free of religious and sexual violence, a growing manufacturing economy which benefits the poor, and a country where government officials arrive on time for work.

His address, the first in many years to be delivered without notes, was received with enthusiasm by commentators who said it reflected his concern over the plight of women in the country and his determination to give more economic autonomy to India's states. He announced the abolition of the Planning Commission, the powerful body formed by Jawaharlal Nehru to coordinate its command economy.

While his speech signalled to investors that India, especially its manufacturing sector, was open for business, his strongest message focused on creating a safer, cleaner and wealthier country for women and the poor.

He challenged members of India's parliament to build an ideal village in their constituencies in each of their five years in office and to build separate lavatories for boys and girls in every school as part of a campaign to clean up the country and save women from 'open defecation.'

A large number of women have been raped in the last year while going to the lavatory in fields.

"When we hear about incidents of rape, our heads hang in shame. I want to ask every mother and father, you ask your daughters 'where are you going, who are you going with?' But do you ever ask your sons these questions?

"After all, those who rape are also someone's son" he said.

"We should ensure that every road, school, office, locality and neighbourhood is clean. It is a shame that our women have to wait for darkness to go out in the open to defecate. Can't we build lavatories for the security of our women?" he asked.

Swapan Dasgupta, a leading Indian political commentator, said Mr Modi had sought to decentralise economic management by scrapping the Planning Commission while sending out populist messages on the security of women and the right of the poorest to open bank accounts. "He wants India to be a manufacturing hub in which the states play a greater role, but he's also very focused on cleanliness and sanitation, cleaning the rivers, a cleaner India", he said.